Fall City Guide: Calgary

Calgary has a vibrant energy in the fall. The crisp mornings serve as a reminder of the cold winter weather ahead and that inspires people to get out and eat out more. Here’s what to do, see and eat in Calgary before settling into winter hibernation.

Five Things to Do

The Rec Room at Calgary’s Deerfoot City

Image credit: The Rec Room

Calgary social seekers now have a new hot-spot for ‘Eats and Entertainment,’ with the opening of The Rec Room at Deerfoot City in Calgary. The two-storey, over 50,000 square foot complex brings together live entertainment, amusement gaming experiences and excellent dining options, all under one roof. More info: www.therecroom.com/calgary-deerfoot/info

Before the cold weather hits, find your winter wears at Vespucci. This 8,000 square foot mega consignment boutique has some of the most stylish coat brands including Canada Goose, Mackage, Moncler, Burberry, Moose Knuckles and others at just a fraction of the retail price! More info: @VespucciCalgary

Take in the beauty of the fall foliage with Anchor D Guiding & Outfitting

Experience the beauty of the fall foliage in the foothills on horseback. Located just an hour southwest of Calgary, Anchor D Outfitting offers 2 or 3 hour guided trail rides in the high foothills and mountains. More info: https://anchord.com/

Get your flu shot and donate a life-saving vaccine to a child in a developing country

Even if you are young, healthy and “never get sick”, getting a flu shot in the fall can save lives by preventing the spread of illness to high-risk individuals: your grandma or grandpa or your own parents. Or someone else’s!

For every vaccination administered at London Drugs this flu season, a lifesaving vaccine will be donated to UNICEF Canada to immunize children in a developing country against tetanus, polio or measles. So just by getting yours, you can play an active role in helping to protect tens of thousands of the world’s most vulnerable children from vaccine-preventable diseases while taking care of your own health needs, and potentially saving the lives of people in your own community as well. More info: www.LondonDrugs.com/flu

Dine in the dark at Dark Table

Blind dining has arrived in Calgary with Dark Table. Already a hit in major cities like London, Paris, New York, L.A. and Montreal, the trend of dining in the dark could be a unique culinary experience as your senses of touch, taste and smell become intensified without the sense of sight. More info: www.darktable.ca

Five Places to Eat

The Highwood

Image Credit: SAIT

School is in session and that makes The Highwood, SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism student-run restaurant, one of Calgary’s most delicious dining options in the fall. Enjoy the outstanding buffet, an a la carte lunch or a five-course dinner prepared by students under the expert guidance of distinguished chefs and hospitality professionals. The Highwood is currently accepting reservations. More info: here.

Rouge partners with local food growers and brings fresh ingredients and homegrown produce to showcase fall flavors like chanterelles, squash and farro. Their Chef’s Tasting Menu changes daily depending on what is available so you know it is always fresh. You can taste the fall harvest straight from their onsite garden in each dish. From their cocktail menu, try the “Autumn on the Bow”, a spiced drink using a chai Masala from the Silk Road.

The COUP

A long-time favorite for herbivores in Calgary, the COUP launches a new menu this fall. Working with local farmers and suppliers, the changes reflect the seasonality of the local produce they use in every dish. With a creative spin on vegan and vegetarian fare, and a new focus on veggie-forward libations, the COUP is simply delicious. More info: http://www.thecoup.ca

Original Joe’s

There is literally something for everyone on the menu at Original Joe’s. They even have one of the best vegetarian burgers in the city (the “Quinoa Mushroom Burger”). With convenient locations throughout Calgary, when you can’t decide where to eat, ‘OJ’s’ is an easy, no fuss option. This Calgary success story opened its first location in in the community of Marda Loop in Calgary, Alberta in 1997. Today they are considered one of the fastest growing casual dining restaurant brands in Canada with 63 locations. More info: OrigionalJoes.ca

Pure Contemporary Vietnamese Kitchen + Bar

Pure Contemporary Vietnamese Kitchen + Bar offers a fresh and modern take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. As the temperature falls in Calgary, a hot bowl of their “Pot Au Pho” is the perfect comfort food. Richly spiced pho broth; cinnamon, star anise, clove, cardamom seeds; blade roast coaxed for 36 hours to perfection; and a pile of veggies— it’s delicious. Dine in or get it straight to your door via Skip the Dishes. More info: http://www.purecontemporaryvietnamese.com

Five Places to Drink

Trolley 5 Restaurant & Brewery

Image Credit: Trolley 5

For beer lovers, Trolley 5 might be the best bang for your buck on 17th Avenue with their $4 happy hour every day from 3pm-6pm. On Mondays their home brew Trolley 5 Core Beers are just $3.50. Plus, there is always something new to try from their rotating beers to seasonals, guest taps and collaborations. Can’t beat it! More info: trolley5.com

Luke’s Drug Mart

It’s an unlikely story, but Calgary’s oldest independent pharmacy also serves up the city’s best Americano. Their unique community coffee bar, which brews Four Barrel Coffee, has become an integrated part of Bridgeland community. Luke’s also offers a full pharmaceutical services, postal services, groceries, pet care, vinyl records, apothecary and even clothing basics. More info: www.lukesdrugmart.com

This newly opened hotspot is themed as a World War II bunker, with cages and an array of decorated gas masks to boot. Shelter has a terrific selection of cocktails named in-theme as well as some excellent smaller plates that are perfect for sharing with others. Despite the smaller space, the venue never feels too full and has lots of character. More info: shelteryyc.com

4th Spot Kitchen & Bar

4th Spot is possibly one of the best kept secrets for those heading north after work. This Mount Pleasant staple has a serious happy hour, including a great local drink menu and a quality wine list to wash down your favourite comfort dishes after a day at the grind. More info: 4thspot.com

This Calgary brewery’s tap room won’t win any interior design awards (one Google review said “It was like drinking at Costco”) but the down-to-earth vibe makes up for any lack of décor and their beer is making a name for itself. It’s a fun and lively local hangout where even your dog is welcome. The ‘Cake Face’ Lager is a crowd favourite brewed with vanilla beans.